Frances Hodgson Burnett 
Little Princess 

Initially doted on by a wealthy father, the kind and creative Sarah Crewe leads a pampered life and is regarded highly by most who meet her earning the nickname princess. Unfortunately, Sarahs fortunes quickly change when her father dies suddenly, after his latest mining venture fails. Now a penniless orphan Sarah is forced to live in the attic at the girls school she attends and becomes the servant of the cruel headmistress, Miss Minchin. Sarah remains positive, bolstered by friends, her imagination and her own kindness, throughout her ordeals until a mysterious until a mysterious friend begins to offer her assistance and may hold the promise to a better life. Another classic tale of Burnetts, A Little Princess was inspired by a play written by her and was later adapted to film five times.